Oz: Increased pig numbers for QAF meats

QAF meats, the largest pork producer in Australia is increasing sow numbers and hiring additional staff in the face of a shortage in pork supplies.

The company, which produces 20% of Australia's national pork volume, has piggeries in Victoria and southern New South Wales. Last year, the company disposed of 16,000 sows and let go of 100 staff, but pork shortages and low grain prices have given the company the opportunity to once more expand.

However, managing director Paul Pattison hasn't ruled out future cuts due to the economic downturn. "We certainly hope to avoid that at all costs, but you can never say never," he says.

"At the moment, given the supply side, given the market, given the improvement in grain prices from our point of view, which is totally the reverse for the grain farm I might point out, we see the pig price being quite encouraging in the next year or two."